Critical raw materials, new European projects
Aluminium is confirmed today as an essential strategic axis for the European industrial transition, and the Critical Raw Materials Act finally opens up new and concrete opportunities for downstream companies. In an article published in the magazine A&L Alluminio e Leghe, FACE Secretary General Mario Conserva analyses how Europe, being dependent on foreign countries for over 90% of many raw materials , has included aluminium among the 17 strategic materials essential for key sectors such as defence, aerospace, and automotive. This centrality along the entire supply chain is fundamental to ensure secure and sustainable supplies in a context of growing global competition.
The current situation highlights a structural critical issue: against a European consumption of around 15 million tonnes per year, we internally produce less than 10% of our primary metal requirements. To overcome this dependence, it is essential to focus on what is realistically feasible, such as boosting high-efficiency recycling and advanced scrap sorting technologies. Italy is a leader in this field , with recycling guaranteeing energy savings of over 90% and already covering more than 40% of the total aluminium consumed in Europe.
The European regulation opens a strategic window through the call for “strategic projects” open until 15 January 2026 , offering accelerated authorisation procedures and easier access to funding. As FACE, we are convinced that these measures represent a decisive industrial lever to strengthen the competitiveness of our production system in the green and digital transition. Investing today in metallurgical innovation and renewable energies means guaranteeing the future of our industry.
The full article by FACE Secretary General Mario Conserva in A&L Magazine is available here.
